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A baby girl is nice – but a boy is better

Celebrating births has become a major industry in Azerbaijan, where event planners say festivities to mark the arrival of a new baby can rival even wedding parties.

My Body, My Choice

26 September, 2019

Tattoos and other taboos

Sona Hakobyan was 14 when she got her first tattoo, a tiny heart on her hand. For years she added one after another, dreading the winter months when she would have to cov...

My Body, My Choice

26 September, 2019

The life I lead

Between the capital's central station and the circus, there are places where a "sexual contract" is made and a body is traded for cash. Commercial sex is not legal i...

My Body, My Choice

25 September, 2019

The women are alright: Life after menopause

We never think about menopause until we face it. No one explains to a 20- or 30-year-old woman what to expect: what low estrogen levels can cause, or how to handle hot fl...

My Body, My Choice

18 September, 2019

Georgia: Speaking Out About Postnatal Depression

Fear of being a bad mother is both a leading cause and a symptom of this debilitating condition. According to guidelines from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, PND can...

My Body, My Choice

11 September, 2019

Why are pregnant women ignoring doctors in Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan has the highest infant mortality rate in Europe, due in part to a lack of sex education for girls, according to health experts.

My Body, My Choice

5 September, 2019

I will pay you 50 GEL for every kilo lost

Today, young girls face a myriad of stereotypes seeking to dictate how they look, what they wear and how much they weigh. These 'rules' are defined in beauty magazines an...

My Body, My Choice

4 September, 2019

Abortion in Armenia: Legal but stigmatized

Armenian women have had the right to an abortion since 1955. But a strong taboo against premarital sex means single women face illegal restrictions and, at times, ev...

My Body, My Choice

3 September, 2019